If you are aiming for a Master’s degree at one of the world’s leading technology universities, the Justus and Louise van Effen Excellence Scholarships at TU Delft in the Netherlands deserve a place near the top of your list. They are funded not by the university’s general budget but by a private legacy: Justus van Effen studied at TU Delft in the 1940s and believed technology could help solve society’s problems, and the foundation set up in his and Louise’s name exists to bring excellent international MSc students to Delft and support them financially.
These are merit scholarships in the truest sense. There is no income test and no requirement to prove financial hardship. What the foundation is looking for is academic excellence, and as a rough guide that means being among the top 10% of graduates in your previous degree. For a strong African student with outstanding results, that is an encouraging basis to compete on, because you are judged on what you have achieved rather than where you come from.
Two things make this scholarship both attractive and demanding. It is close to fully funded, covering your full tuition plus a contribution toward living costs. But it is also genuinely scarce: TU Delft awards only two per faculty, and every document has to be submitted in a single application with no second chances. Understanding exactly how the process works, which the rest of this guide walks through, is what separates a serious applicant from a wasted effort.
Scholarship benefits
- Full tuition fees for your TU Delft MSc programme, paid per year, based on either the statutory fee or the institutional rate according to your registered nationality.
- A contribution toward your living expenses, which helps with the substantial cost of living in the Netherlands.
- The award supports a two-year regular TU Delft MSc programme, aligning with the normal length of your degree.
- The prestige of a competitive, legacy-funded excellence award at a top-ranked technology university, which carries weight well beyond graduation.
Be clear on the limits so you can plan. The scholarship covers tuition in full and contributes to living costs, but it is described as a contribution rather than a full living stipend, so budget for the gap between that contribution and the real cost of living in Delft. You will also still need to satisfy the usual visa and residence permit requirements, which include showing proof of sufficient funds.
Eligibility checklist
✔ You are an excellent international applicant who has been admitted, or conditionally admitted, to one of the two year regular TU Delft MSc programmes.
✔ Your programme is not an International Joint Education Programme, as those are excluded.
✔ You achieved excellent academic results in your previous studies, relevant to the Master’s you are applying for. As an indication, you are among the top 10% of graduates in your previous programme. Proof of ranking is not required; it simply indicates how competitive the award is.
✔ You are a new, incoming student. You are not eligible if you have already started your MSc at TU Delft, because the award is only for new entrants.
✔ You are not a TU Delft bachelor’s student, even if you are an international student.
✔ You did not obtain your bachelor’s degree at a Dutch university. International students who earned their bachelor’s in the Netherlands are not eligible.
✔ You will submit a complete MSc application, with all scholarship documents included, before the scholarship deadline.
Application tips for African students
- Submit everything at once, because there is no second upload. This is the rule that catches people out. Every document required for the scholarship must be submitted together with your MSc application. After you submit, no additional documents can be uploaded, and reference letters are not accepted after the scholarship deadline. Treat your submission as final and complete.
- Work backward from 1 December 2026, not from the general admission date. The scholarship deadline for the 2027 intake is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET. Your entire MSc application, including the scholarship form, references and English test, must be in by then, so build your timeline around this date well in advance.
- Sort your English test early. Applicants who want to be considered for the scholarship must include their English test result with the MSc application before the scholarship deadline. Test slots and result processing can take weeks, so book early and leave a buffer.
- Get your reference letters organised in good time. You need two reference letters. You can upload them yourself as a single PDF, or invite your referees through the system to upload directly, or combine both approaches. Referees inviting takes time and follow up, so start early and confirm they have submitted before the deadline.
- Certify and translate your transcripts ahead of the rush. Excellent results are the core of this award, so your transcripts must be complete, certified and, where needed, translated. Documents from African institutions often take weeks to certify, so begin as soon as you decide to apply.
- Make your academic excellence unmistakable. Because selection is driven by academic merit and relevance to your chosen Master’s, present your grades, class ranking where you have it, and any academic distinctions clearly. The stronger and more relevant your record, the better in a field where only two per faculty are chosen.
- Confirm your programme qualifies before you invest effort. Check that your chosen MSc is a regular two year TU Delft programme and not an International Joint Education Programme, since the latter is not eligible.
How to apply
There is no separate scholarship portal. You apply for the scholarship as part of your MSc application, and everything must arrive together. Follow these steps:
- Step 1. Complete your MSc application for an eligible two year regular TU Delft programme, checking the admission requirements for your course first.
- Step 2. Upload the Scholarship Application Form for 2026/2027, available on the official scholarship page, within your MSc application.
- Step 3. Provide two reference letters, either uploaded by you as one PDF or requested from your referees through the invitation system, or a combination of both. These will not be considered if submitted after the scholarship deadline or after you have already submitted your application.
- Step 4. Upload your English language certificate, if required, before the scholarship deadline.
- Step 5. Submit the complete application by 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET. Remember that no documents can be added after submission.
Successful applicants are informed by TU Delft by email by the end of March 2027, and receiving the scholarship remains conditional on meeting all admission criteria. Full details, the scholarship application form and the document requirements are on the official TU Delft van Effen Excellence Scholarships page.
Frequently asked questions
Who funds the van Effen Excellence Scholarships?
They are financed by the legacy of Justus and Louise van Effen, through the foundation established in their name, rather than from TU Delft’s general funds. Justus van Effen studied at TU Delft in the 1940s and believed technology could help solve societal problems, which is the spirit behind the award.
Is the scholarship fully funded?
It covers your full tuition fees for the MSc programme, based on the statutory or institutional rate according to your nationality, plus a contribution toward living expenses. Because the living element is a contribution rather than a complete stipend, plan to cover the difference between it and the actual cost of living in Delft.
Who can apply?
Excellent international applicants who have been admitted or conditionally admitted to a regular two year TU Delft MSc programme, with results ideally in the top 10% of their previous degree. You must be a new entrant, must not have done your bachelor’s at a Dutch university, and your programme must not be an International Joint Education Programme.
How many scholarships are available?
TU Delft awards two per faculty, which makes this a highly competitive award and places a premium on a strong, complete application.
When is the deadline?
The scholarship deadline is 1 December 2026 at 23:59 CET for the 2027 intake. Your full MSc application, scholarship form, references and English certificate must all be submitted by then. Outcomes are communicated by the end of March 2027.
Can I send documents after I apply?
No. You must submit all required documents with your MSc application. After submission, you cannot upload additional documents, and we will not accept reference letters after the scholarship deadline, so your first submission must be complete.
Do I need to prove financial need?
No. This is a merit-based excellence scholarship, so selection is based on academic results and their relevance to your chosen Master’s, not on financial circumstances.